The development of the F-35, created by Lockheed Martin, took a significant amount of time and money. It was done under the Joint Strike Fighter program, designed to manage and coordinate efforts in creating the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter jet in the world. The F-35 was intended to serve the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army, with different variants tailored to each branch’s needs.

Not only is the F-35 meant for use by the United States’ NATO allies and other partners, but the idea was also to distribute the costs among all involved parties. This collective approach aimed to keep expenses manageable and ensure that each participant contributes their fair share.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in May 2023, the Department of Defense estimates that the total cost of purchasing, maintaining, updating, and operating the F-35s throughout their practical lifespan will reach approximately $1.7 trillion. This is a staggering amount, especially when considering that the price tag for a single F-35 is around $75-80 million. However, these costs are just the tip of the iceberg.